Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a stunning blooming ring, baked golden and perfect for party dipping.

# What You Need:

→ Quesadillas

01 - 16 small flour tortillas, 5 to 6 inches diameter
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 1 small green onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Garnish and Dipping

12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1 cup prepared salsa
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
16 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, diced bell pepper, sliced green onion, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
03 - Cut each tortilla in half to create 32 semicircles.
04 - Place 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each tortilla semicircle. Fold the straight edge over the filling to form a triangle, pressing gently to seal.
05 - Arrange the quesadilla triangles on the prepared baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping to form a blooming flower shape.
06 - Brush the tops of all quesadilla triangles with melted butter.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is melted.
08 - Slide the blooming ring onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
09 - Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls in the center of the ring. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours arranging it, but honestly it takes less time than most casseroles.
  • Everyone can grab their own little triangle without awkward cutting or serving spoon chaos.
  • The cheese gets crispy on the edges and gooey in the middle, which is exactly what quesadillas should be.
  • You can prep the filling ahead and assemble it right before guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper or you'll be scraping cheese off the pan for days.
  • Overlapping the triangles tightly is what keeps the ring from falling apart when you move it.
  • If your tortillas are cold from the fridge, let them sit out for a few minutes so they don't crack when you fold them.
03 -
  • Brush the butter on generously because that's what gives you the crispiest, most golden edges.
  • If you want extra drama, sprinkle a little extra cheese on top of the ring before baking so it gets all bubbly and browned.
  • Don't be tempted to use large tortillas and cut them smaller, the texture won't be the same and they won't hold their shape as well.
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